The first big difference between applying for a federal job and a corporate one is in the arrangement and features contained in your resume. Applying to a government position is way more complicated than applying to a private sector position. Traditional resumes are usually no longer than two pages in length while federal resumes are often between four and eight pages. To avoid being turned down from a federal position we recommend hiring a professional federal resume writer.
A federal resume preparation service includes all of the best practices to emphasize accomplishments and does so within the necessary form and guidelines needed by the federal government. Finding a federal resume writer could be simpler than trying to look through the many resources that teach you how to write a federal resume.
Have I Done the Research?
Applying for a job with the federal government requires a complete, thoroughly formatted resume. The biggest difference between a federal resume and a corporate resume is in the experience. A corporate resume includes the name of the company, your title, the dates you worked there, and bulleted accomplishments. Forget all of the ordinary logic about fitting your resume down to one or two pages. The government wants details about your work history, like the number of hours you work, how much you make, your supervisor's name and number, as well as your citizenship and veteran status.
Do your research on how to write a federal resume. Peruse the U.S. National Records and Archives Administration's publication "The Federal Resume Guide: What You Should Know When Applying for a Federal Career." It is the basis to know the employment process that federal agencies use and it provides details about writing a resume that meets the government's requirements.
Read USAJobs.gov, the federal government's job posting site, to learn about available jobs and special application materials they require. For example, jobs at the Senior Executive Service position demand long reports called Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). ECQs can add around another five pages to a federal resume. Applications from military veterans call for proof of discharge and disability, if your intention is to take advantage of the additional points provided to job seekers with military service.
El Paso Professional Resumes has advice on how to write a federal resume in addition to information about the federal hiring process. At El Paso Professional Resumes our goal is to help you with a federal resume preparation service. Our resume writing services have very distinguished processes that help you get on top of the stack of federal job candidates.
Do I Understand the Keywords and Qualifications?
It can be hard to figure out where to start and how to write a federal resume. If you are not getting calls, your resume is not up to par. It probably contains one of two problems: Not enough keywords or poor formatting.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by employers to filter candidates. It is an algorithm-based system that looks for particular keywords and phrases in a resume. You cannot use words similar to the keywords, they have to be the exact keywords because these are computer software programs, otherwise the computer will get rid of your resume. When the words or phrases are found, the computer will score the resume and move on to the next round, until only a certain number of resumes are left.
Applicant Tracking Systems make the work of filling a job position for employers easier. Employers just provide the keywords or phrases and determine how high the scores should be. Looking through 30 resumes instead of 300 is a lot easier. You want your resume to be one of those 30.
So where do you find the right keywords? ATS keywords and phrases are found in the job description and position responsibilities listed on the job posting. Look for details in bullet points, and any required certifications.
It also helps to look for keywords and phrases that already describe something you do. Using job specific language can also help your resume score higher. It can be tempting to fill your resume with only keywords and phrases, but don’t do it. Applicant Tracking Systems are complex enough to recognize nonsense repetition and the goal is to get your resume into a person's hands. The hiring manager will not be impressed by keywords and phrases repeating themselves in your resume. Try to use the keywords and phrases to describe essential information. You want to describe your skills, accomplishments and strong points in your resume; you want the person reading the resume to find the value you offer the team.
Before you submit your application for a job, review the job posting and your resume for ATS keywords. Having the right words for the job you’re applying for can help give your resume an advantage over the competition. At El Paso Professional Resumes, we are well-informed experts on a wide range of industries. We understand the importance of using strong writing and understanding keywords when we write resumes.
Do I Understand How to Translate Military Jobs to Civilian Lingo?
A recently seperated or retired military member needs to have a good resume to begin their next occupation. Our experts can also provide assistance with a military to civilian transition. Using job specific lingo can help your resume score higher. You need to learn how to write a military resume for a post-military career that will translate your military experience into skills and achievements civilian employers can understand.
It is common for veteran resumes to have language and acronyms that some recruiters might not understand. That is normal after spending years in the military. Recruiters and interviewers who have no background in the military, don’t comprehend the language used in the military. That’s why you need to translate military to civilian terminology, so that whoever reads your veteran resume can see your abilities. Even if a veteran has 5 or 10 points due to a disability, it is important that your resume gets you qualified.
Do you need to freshen your general idea about how to write a resume? Not sure what to include or what the best military resume format is? What if your job included combat and field experience that doesn’t translate to most civilian roles? We are here to help.
Do Professional Resume Writers Really Help?
Federal resumes have very specific requirements you must address in each job application you present. It can be difficult to get a handle on the difference between federal and corporate resumes. For most, those contrasts can be discouraging and complicated. You can spare yourself that frustration by counting on a professional resume preparation service team to help you write the federal resume you need. This is often the most effective way to make sure that your federal resume optimizes your opportunities of landing the federal job you’re seeking.
To get optimized resumes that cause an impression on hiring managers, you’ll be paired with a writer who understands your background, knows where you want to go in your career, and is aware of how to get you there. You can choose to have your federal resume writer work with you on your resume; resume and cover letter; or resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. When you are in need of expert help, our team of resume writers in El Paso can provide the assistance you are looking for. In fact, the majority of our clients get referred and interviewed within weeks of leaving our office.
Take the task of writing your federal resume off your to do list. Experts are here to help by offering personalized resume preparation services in order to get your resume in the hands of a hiring manager. The first step to your next interview is setting up a free consultation with one of our expert resume writers!
A No Commitment Free Consultation with a Federal Resume Writer
El Paso Professional Resumes offers a variety of services from correcting your federal resume to linking it to your social media, among others. Alexine Garcia is supported by a military career, a number of certifications and experience in the field of human resources and recruiting, her goal is to help you define yourself. El Paso Professional Resumes will help you through the tough process of federal job applications. If you want to reduce the time and stress of writing your resume, using our services can give you peace of mind. Contact us today to set up a free consultation with a federal resume writer.